It's 50 years since the Jetsons first predicted we'd be flying the family about in airborne cars.

And now we are finally standing on the cusp of that long-awaited milestone, as the world's first flying motorcycle goes on sale.

The Pal-V One Helicycle is a two-seat hybrid car and gyrocopter that has the potential for making rush-hour delays a thing of the past.

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The Pal-V One - a three-wheeled motorcyle that transforms into a gyrocopter at the flick of a switch - is now on sale for $295,000 (£180,000). It takes 10 minutes to switch between modes and can go from 0 to 60 in the air in under 8 seconds

Luxury gadgets site Hammacher Schlemmer is marketing the Helicycle for 'just' $395,000 - a bargain...

It is road - and air - legal and now,
two years after its maiden flight, it is finally available to buy - if
you have a spare $395,999 (£230,000) that is.

The Dutch-built Pal-V One can reach speeds of up to 112mph and goes from 0 to 60 in under 8 seconds when driven on the road.

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THE PAL-V ONE SPECIFICATIONS

The two-seater vehicle converts from a three-wheeled motorcycle to a gyrocopter in 10 minutes.

It has 230hp, four-cylinder engine and reaches speeds of up 112 mph in the air or on the road.

The helicycle goes from 0 to 60 mph in under eight seconds.

The gyrocopter is designed to cruise at low altitudes (below 4,000ft) and it requires a 540ft runway for take-offs. For landing, the vehicle needs just 100 ft.

The 27-gallon gas tank provides a 220-mile flight range (750 miles on the road).

It is made from carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,499lbs.

Owners must have a Sports Pilot Certificate to fly the vehicle.

Owners will need a Sports Pilot Certificate to fly one.

The two-seater vehicle can be bought through luxury gadget retailer Hammacher Schemmler which advertises it under name The Helicycle, yet its design and specifications are identical to the Pal-V One's.

Despite its helicopter-like appearance, like many flying car prototypes, including the TF-X from Austin-based Terrafugia, the Pal-V needs a 540ft runway in order to take-off.

When in flight mode, the vehicle looks like a helicopter, however, it is known as a gyrocopter or autogyro because the main power comes
from the rotors at the rear of the vehicle.

Its rotors spin considerably slower than a helicopter's blades, too, and can't stall.

On
the ground, the machine handles somewhere between a motorbike and a
racing car - its chassis is built to lean into turns, and the two-seater
can reach speeds of up to 112mph.

Unlike
most fictional flying cars, of course, it can't just extend its rotors
then hurtle skywards - the process takes about ten minutes.

The Pal-V One, pictrured, needs a 540ft runway in order to take-off. When in flight mode, the vehicle looks like a helicopter, however, it is known as a gyrocopter or autogyro because the main power comes from the rotors at the rear of the vehicle

Once the engine stops, the propeller folds itself automatically into the driving position. Pushing a button then lowers the rotor mast into the horizontal position.

Rotor blades and tail have to be stowed away by the driver.

'On the ground the vehicle drives like a sports car,' said Pal-V. 'Within minutes its rotor is unfolded and its tail is extended: then it is ready to take off thanks to the advanced gyrocopter technology.'

The gyrocopter, pictured, is designed to cruise at low altitudes, below 4,000ft. Although it needs a 540ft runway for take-off, it only needs 100ft to land

The 27-gallon gas tank in the Pal-V One, pictured, provides a 220-mile flight range or 750 miles on the road. It is made from carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,499lbs

The Pal-V One is on sale from retailer Hammacher Schemmler under the name The Helicycle - but the specifications are the same. It can reach speeds of up to 112 mph and tilts like a motorcycle when turning corners, left. The helicycle goes from 0 to 60 mph in under eight seconds on the road, as well

'With these successful test results it is proven that it is not only possible to build a flying car but also that it can be done within existing international rules for both flying and driving.'

The Pal-V One features a 230hp, four-cylinder engine powered by petrol.

Its 27 gallon tank means pilots can fly for up to 220 miles at low altitudes - around 4,000ft - or drive for up 750 miles.

It is made of carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum and weighs 1,500lbs.

The Pal-V One completed its maiden voyage just 18 months ago. It is available in red, pictured, or black

To drive and fly the Pal-V One, pictured, owners must have a driving license and a Sports Pilot Certificate